Ahmedabad, April 7
Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar was today manhandled by angry residents of Sabarmati Colony in Gandhi Ashram, founded by peace apostle Mahatma Gandhi, where she was presiding over a peace meeting.
She had to be escorted by police personnel to safety as the residents, led by BJP youth wing leader Amit Thakur, barged into the meeting venue inside the ashram and tried to manhandle her, shouting slogans: “We do not need Medha for peace in Gujarat.”
The protesters shouted that Medha Patkar had “harmed” the interests of Gujarat by opposing the much-awaited Sardar Sarovar Project.
“After denying water, she has come to bring peace,” shouted angry protesters.
As the protesters approached menacingly towards Ms Patkar and Mr Thakur virtually caught her by her shoulders, the police intervened and chased the protesters away even as some police personnel escorted her to safety from the backdoor of the ashram. The police had to resort to a lathi charge as some protesters tried to run after Ms Patkar. In the melee about six reporters were injured.
Noted Gandhian Chuni Bhai Vaidya and renowned dancer Mallika Sarabhai were among those who attended the peace meeting, which was called off abruptly following protests.
According to Ms Radha of Prakriti, an NGO based here, Ms Patkar was not an invitee and she had come for the meeting on her own. “We were not aware about her participation. We came to know about her presence here only when some protesters barged into the ashram.
“Whatever it is, it is a shameful act as we had gathered here to organise some peace marches to bring back normalcy in Gujarat. If this kind of a thing happens, I am afraid we can not help,” she added.
Among the mediapersons injured was NDTV cameraman Pranab Joshi, who received a head injury.
Additional Commissioner of Police Shivanand Jha later regretted the assault on mediapersons and told newspersons that he was “sorry” for whatever had happened. “It should not have happened”, he added.
The NDTV cameraman was admitted to Shriya Hospital here and doctors attending him said he was “okay”.
“No stitch was required. He is under our observation,” a doctor said.
Meanwhile, a group of mediapersons lodged a complaint with the police headquarters.
“Aaj Tak” reporter Dhiman Purohit also received a injury on his hand.
The protesters also included BJP corporator Amit Shah, Congress corporator of Sabarmati Rambai Patel and local medical practitioner Parag Takkar.
Mr V.K. Saxena, President of the National Council for Civil Liberty, which had been undertaking a sustained media campaign against Ms Patkar, demanded “Patkar must quit Gujarat”.
“We will not allow her to exploit a pious place like Gandhi Ashram for all her anti-Gujarat and anti-water activities”, he said.
According to BJP sources, Chief Minister Narendra Modi and party leader Haren Pandya spoke to injured lensman Joshi on telephone.
